Gas boilers have been the default choice for home heating in the UK for decades. They’re familiar, relatively cheap to install, and most homes already have the infrastructure in place. So why are so many homeowners across Blackpool, Preston, and Burnley starting to look seriously at alternatives?
The short answer: the economics have shifted. But there’s more to it than just cost.
What’s changed in the last few years?
Gas prices have been volatile in a way that’s left many households feeling exposed. The energy crisis of 2021–2023 saw bills roughly double for many homes, and while prices have stabilised somewhat since, the underlying cost of gas hasn’t returned to its pre-crisis levels.
Meanwhile, renewable technology has got cheaper and more efficient. Solar panels today cost a fraction of what they did in 2015. Heat pumps have become more effective in cooler climates. Battery storage has come down in price. The combination makes a real difference to the financial case for switching.
There’s also been a shift in awareness. Homeowners who might have dismissed solar or heat pumps a few years ago as niche or expensive are now seeing them on houses in their street. Word of mouth matters, and the stories coming back are generally positive.
What are people actually switching to?
There are a few main options, and they’re not mutually exclusive:
Solar panels
The most popular entry point for most Lancashire homeowners. A well-sized solar installation can cover a substantial portion of a typical household’s electricity use, reducing dependence on grid electricity and cutting bills. With battery storage added, you can use far more of what you generate yourself.
Solar doesn’t replace your heating system, but it reduces your overall energy spend — and if you pair it with an air source heat pump or an EV charger, the savings compound.
Air source heat pumps
For households with ageing gas boilers — or those on oil heating, which is more common in rural parts of Lancashire — an air source heat pump is increasingly the go-to replacement. The £7,500 government grant through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has made the upfront cost much more manageable.
Heat pumps are particularly well-suited to well-insulated homes or those with underfloor heating, but modern units work effectively with standard radiators too — sometimes just needing slightly larger radiators to distribute heat efficiently.
Solar and heat pump together
This is the combination that gives Lancashire homeowners the most independence from the grid and the greatest long-term savings. Solar generates cheap electricity during the day; the heat pump uses it to heat the home and hot water.
In summer, when solar generation is highest, you can run the heat pump almost entirely on free electricity. In winter, you’ll need more from the grid — but you’ll still benefit from the heat pump’s efficiency advantage over a gas boiler.
It’s a setup that works particularly well for households that are home during the day, work from home, or have an EV that can also be charged cheaply on solar electricity.
What about the homes that aren’t suitable?
Not every property is ready for a heat pump right now. Older terraced homes with solid walls and minimal insulation can work, but they need more careful assessment. The heat pump must be sized correctly for the property’s heat demand, and sometimes insulation improvements make sense first.
Solar, on the other hand, is suitable for a much wider range of homes. If you have a south, east, or west-facing roof with reasonable space, the chances are good that solar will work for you.
A reputable installer will tell you honestly where the limits are. If your home isn’t ideally suited to a particular technology right now, it’s better to know that upfront than to invest and be disappointed.
What about the future?
The direction of travel is clear. Gas boilers are set to be phased out for new-build homes, and while existing homes aren’t being forced to change, the incentives to switch are only likely to increase over time. Getting ahead of that transition — especially while government grants like the BUS are available — means locking in the benefits sooner and avoiding the rush as more households make the switch.
There’s also the energy independence angle. Generating your own electricity, storing it, and heating your home with it is a meaningful hedge against future energy price volatility. Whatever happens to gas prices, you’re less exposed.
Where to start
If you’re thinking about making the switch — whether that’s solar, a heat pump, or a combination of both — the starting point is a proper assessment of your home. Wise Energy Solutions covers the Fylde Coast, the Ribble Valley, and East Lancashire, and we take the time to understand your home, your energy use, and your budget before recommending anything.
No hard sell, no generic proposals. Just a clear picture of what’s possible for your specific home.
Thinking about switching? Call 01253804151 or visit wiseenergy.co.uk to arrange a free, no-obligation assessment.